I have decided to get a canvas tent. I know all of the various major manufacturers, etc., but what I am trying to decide is on a style.
My persona is an early Norman. The most accurate tent for me would be a wedge tent. The problem with that is that the most accurate tent for me would be a wedge tent.
In all seriousness, I really don't want the downsides of the reduced little living area, but I also am trying to be as accurate as possible.
But then, is a wall tent "good enough". The design dates back to the Romans, and certainly the price is right, but am I doing myself a disservice doing that?
Do I just going with a square or rectangular marquee and accept that it is the SCA and not living history, and is a damn sight better than the walmart earth pimple I have now?
Gail has a wall tent from Midwest Tent. Its a great tent and is under $300 We went to Home Depot and made the poles and such ourselves. She had it up the entire Renfest and it did well.
I will see if she is going to practice.
My pavilion isn't period or historical (just looks that way) and you know how I was about wanting to be accurate. I find ANY canvas pavilion to be much better than a land pimple and its just so nice to be able and walk around in there.
Look into the 10x10 wall tent from Midwest. Its a good deal IMHO.
Last edited by JvR on Fri Mar 26, 2010 2:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
It is clear that they are having lunch (prandium) and it looks as if it is a field lunch, as they are eating using their shields as tables. But look at the structure under which William is seating. It could be a sort of temporary structure....
In the next image they use the word "castra" Latin for military encampment calling it CASTRA HESTENGA, the encampment at Hastings and there is a weird thing that COULD be a tent.... just under that word...
http://www.hastings1066.com/bayeux24.shtml
If you stretch it...
Glaukos the Athenian
Squire to Sir Guy Lestrange
Benedictus dominus Deus meus, qui docet manus meas ad proelium, et digitos meos ad bellum.
We also have a Wedge from Midwest Tents that is more than sufficient. It is about 12x14 footprint, 10' high. Fits our queen bed, a couple of tubs, two sets of heavy gear, coolers, etc, just fine. The biggest thing is that you need to walk into a War (Pennsic, Estrella, Gulf) with a plan of how it is going to be laid out, and then keep to that. The biggest way to loose space is have clutter in the center. The only downside of it compared to anything with all the side-wall poles is that a closet is a bit more interesting (needs uprights, instead of friction hooks off the poles).
Westerners, we have forgotten our origins. We speak all the diverse languages of the country in turn. Indeed the man who was poor at home attains opulence here; he who had no more than a few deiners, finds himself master of a fourtune.
Malachiuri wrote:I camped for years out of a 12x15 wedge tent. Queen size bed, all my peer baggage, kitchen boxes, armour, fit just fine.
Only down size is the 15' ridge pole.
What did you change to? Why?
We still camp out of it from time to time. Hell, last year a friend and I spent 2 full weeks sharing it at Pennsic so its plenty roomy. Mainly its a loaner pavilion atm for friends, and wandering Alejandros.
I changed to a regent 3 years ago just because I can put it up all alone. Hard to do with a big wedge.
My next pavilion will be another wedge(smaller) for weekend events. I just love em.
Baron Malachi von Uri
KSCA, OP
Kingdom of Calontir
Can't stand wedges. To have one large enough (for me) to not feel cramped, you need a friggin' HUGE one.
Just spent this last Gulf Wars in my new 10'x12' Wall Tent from Blockade Runner. Was easy to setup, easy to tear down, and kept us dry the night it rained.
Loved it.
-Az
aka Baron Asbrand of Norway
Shire of Owl's Nest
Kingdom of Meridies http://www.asbrand.com
Coming from a Boy Scouting and backpacking background I spent my first 7 Pennsics in a 7'X7' nylon tent. Then I moved up to a 7'X9' canvas wedge. I thought it was HUGE!
Per pale sable and gules, two eagles rising respectant Or and in base an open
book argent.
asbrand wrote:Can't stand wedges. To have one large enough (for me) to not feel cramped, you need a friggin' HUGE one.
Just spent this last Gulf Wars in my new 10'x12' Wall Tent from Blockade Runner. Was easy to setup, easy to tear down, and kept us dry the night it rained.
Loved it.
Same here.
Now, for ease of use, a wedge is an EXCELLENT first "period tent". Simple pole assembly, easy to set up and take down, and pretty compact for packing as period tents go.
A wall tent is only slightly less compact and that only if you use 10+, 4ft side poles. You CAN set up a wall tent without them, you only need to stake out the guy ropes inline with the pitch of the roof.
Like Asbrandr I own a blockade runner 10x12ft wall. Excellent tent. I have had it for about 6 years and it is still in great shape. I HAVE added a midwest tents 8ft regent to my camp though:
This is my gear/crap tent. All the tubs, armour, coolers et al. that gets cluttered in my wall tent go in this tent. It is AMAZING THE ROOM the wall tent has in it now with the addition of the 8ft regent. My wife and I camped the full week at Gulf Wars with the 2 tents and it was roomy and pleasent.
Insane Irish
Quote: "Nissan Maxima"
(on Pennsic) I know that movie. It is the 13th warrior. A bunch of guys in armour that doesn't match itself or anybody elses, go on a trip and argue and get drunk and get laid and then fight Tuchux.
James beat me to it
A-frames and Getalds are your options for your period.
The problem is, we have no pictorial evidence for A-frames but 2.5 examples of actual frames for them.
With the getald, we have no hard evidence but a couple different pieces of pictorial evidence:)
Wedges are an anomoly, based on A-frames.
They arent unlikely based on materials avaialble and are actually more likely for the average traveller (of the non sea variety) of the time.
Packing around a tarp and cutting poles each night beats the hell out of packing aroung the required wood for an A-Frame:)
IMO the A-frame concept is purely based on ship going folks with access to all the needed on board materials to create such a structure.
Folks moving over land just wouldnt have packed around such stuff IMO.
It is my beleif that the frames found on the Oseberg and Gokstad are status items and not the norm for the time (and NO WHERE NEAR as common as they are in our modern reenactment communities)
Halvgrimr Riddari
....sometimes called Stormtossed
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research. - Steven Wright
Any canvas tent is better than a modern nylon one.
At Gulf Wars, a few of my friends shared a wedge tent that measured roughly 338 sqft of floor space, with three uprights. Three women and all their gear and then some. Wedges dont have to be small.
~Ceadda
Stercus stercus stercus Moriturus Sum - Rincewind of Discworld
Just what sort of "accuracy" are you interested in ?
Just the visual appearance ? Or do you want to try and get a sense of what it would have been like to have been a Norman in 960 AD (or whomever, whenever) ?
If you're interested in the latter, then part of getting that experience is trying to have a replica of their living quarters so you can experience that aspect of their lives.
Just what sort of "accuracy" are you interested in ?
Just the visual appearance ? Or do you want to try and get a sense of what it would have been like to have been a Norman in 960 AD (or whomever, whenever) ?
If you're interested in the latter, then part of getting that experience is trying to have a replica of their living quarters so you can experience that aspect of their lives.
Just another piece of the puzzle to work with.
Just the visual appearance... or so I thought until you asked the question and I now I ponder further.
It looks fairly similar with the exception that the Geteld then appears to have a center ridge support unlike the French Bell that has 2 central poles and no support beam.
Vladimir wrote:Coming from a Boy Scouting and backpacking background I spent my first 7 Pennsics in a 7'X7' nylon tent. Then I moved up to a 7'X9' canvas wedge. I thought it was HUGE!
Just spent the last week at Gulf Wars in a 7'x9' canvas wedge and it was excellent. No issues with the little rain we did have or with the significant condensation from overnight. I wasn't sure if it was really a period choice for an early 14th century portrayal but I decided it had to be better than my old nylon earth pimple and/or carport tent. In short; love it. Painting it this weekend, as I mentioned in the previous tent thread, weather permitting.
Lord Lucian Ro
MKA
Scotty Riopel
Per pale argent and purpure, a dragonfly counterchanged and on a chief sable a dagger reversed argent.
When there is no peril in the fight, there is no glory in the triumph. -Pierre Corneille
My wife and I have been SCA camping in a geteld for almost 7 years now and it is great. We keep a queen size slat bed, chests of clothing and armor, a table and rugs on the floor in it. Ours measures 17X12X9 and there is enough room for us to both get armored up with out getting in each others way. Also the angle of the geteld does wonders in bad weather, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, we will be dry and comfortable. Hardware is very simple, 3 2X4's for the frame, a duffel bad for the canvas and a bunch of stakes are about all we need. I recommend them for anyone who shoots for a post-migration period to Norman conquest persona.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
While the shape is similar I would not say one is the same as the other. The double bell seems to wide and lacks the pole sleeve. The Geteld has a taller look and the center pole slips into the sleeve.
Benedek wrote:It looks fairly similar with the exception that the Geteld then appears to have a center ridge support unlike the French Bell that has 2 central poles and no support beam.
You mean a ridge pole? There's no reason why a French Bell can't have one.
-Derian.
More or less no longer logging in to the AA. Have a nice life.
While the shape is similar I would not say one is the same as the other. The double bell seems to wide and lacks the pole sleeve. The Geteld has a taller look and the center pole slips into the sleeve.
Another difference seems to be that at least according to the artwork above, getalds opened on the ends (like wedges) while IIRC the French Bells open on the side.
That said, not may getalds open on the end in the reenactment community, to many folks favor the 'front porch' look.
Halvgrimr Riddari
....sometimes called Stormtossed
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research. - Steven Wright
I'm a big proponent of sewing your own. If you have a good sewing machine you shouldn't have any trouble with the canvas, and you can save yourself hundreds by not buying from a manufacturer.
Alric of Drentha wrote:I'm a big proponent of sewing your own. If you have a good sewing machine you shouldn't have any trouble with the canvas, and you can save yourself hundreds by not buying from a manufacturer.
I used to, till I became painfully aware how much my time is worth to me now. Over 10 years I sewed 8 pavilions for myself and taught a pavilion class for my Barony. In the classes we sewed a total of 56 8x10 wedges.
My last pavilion I bought. My next pavilion I will buy.
Im old and cranky now, I like having someone to yell at if it doesnt work out correctly. =)
Baron Malachi von Uri
KSCA, OP
Kingdom of Calontir
Being that I'm recreating an early 12th Century Norse/Scot, I picked up a Midwestern Viking tent, 12'x15', a year ago and have really enjoyed it. I did not make a full frame and just use two uprights and a ridge pole. My full size viking style slat bed, a large dog cage, clothing bins and armour bag fit inside, with some room to spare.
We also have a 18'x18' center pole marquee. I bought the viking to make it easier to camp in a period style tent for shorter events. Last year at Pennsic, I lived in the viking for 8 days. No issues with the weather or space, but it was just me, not me, my wife, and the dogs.
The marquee and the viking got set up for Estrella. The viking was the sleeping and changing room and the marquee was the kitchen, dining, armour storage, etc room.
